Christmas Favia

Christmas Favia, Dipsastraea sp. (commonly sold in the aquarium trade as Favia), is a massive to encrusting stony coral valued for its fleshy polyps, pronounced corallites, and dramatic contrasting coloration. This specimen displays an exceptionally bright fluorescent green base surrounding deep burgundy to magenta corallite centers, creating the classic red-and-green combination reflected in the “Christmas Favia” name. The individual corallites are clearly defined within the shared colony tissue, producing a bold repeating pattern as the coral grows outward. These corals contain symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide much of their nutritional energy, while the fleshy polyps can also capture appropriately sized planktonic and meaty foods. Many corals historically sold as Favia have subsequently been reassigned to other genera, including Dipsastraea, so Dipsastraea sp. is the more scientifically conservative designation for this aquarium specimen.

Care Guide: Dipsastraea sp. generally performs well under low to moderate reef lighting with gentle to moderate, variable water movement. Flow should be strong enough to prevent debris from settling between the corallites without continuously blasting the fleshy tissue. Place the coral securely on rockwork with adequate room for gradual outward growth. Maintain stable temperature and salinity along with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium to support skeletal development. Nitrate and phosphate should remain measurable and reasonably stable rather than being driven excessively low. Photosynthesis provides much of the coral’s nutritional energy, although occasional targeted feeding with appropriately sized marine foods can provide supplemental nutrition. Allow adequate space from neighboring corals because feeding and defensive tentacles may extend beyond the visible tissue margin, especially after lights-out.